Aeroplane safety device



J. D. KENNARD.

AEROPLANE SAFETY DEVICE. A APPLICATION FILED MAYIB. 1920.

Patented Feb. 1, 192 1.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ATTORNEY J. D. KENNARD.

AEROPLANE SAFETY DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, I920- I 1,367,483. Patented Feb. 1, 1921 3 SHEETSSHEET 2- ATTORNEY J. D. KENNARD. AEROPLANE SAFETY DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED- MAY 18, I920.

PatentedFeb. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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INVENTOR. JEFFEPSO N0. KEA/ AIPD. y @142 4: W4

ATTORNEY UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEFFERSON D. KENNARD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

AEROPLANE SAFETY DEVICE.

.. A plication filed May 18,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEFFERSON D. KEN- NARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Aeroplane Safety Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an aeroplane and particularly pertains to a safety device therefor.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide means whereby the Weight of an aeroplane may be supported in the event that the engine or the control mechanism should become disabled or in case the aeroplane should take fire, said supporting means being incorporated within the aeroplane construction and adapted to bebrought into instant operation in emer- 'gency.

' use of a parachute structure preferably concealed within the wings of the aeroplane and to be operatively released and positively opened when required.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: v

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing an aeroplane equipped with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in plan showing an aeroplane and the control mechanism for the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a view through the wing of the aeroplane as seen on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 indicating modifications in the structure.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a fragmentary portion of the wing showing its upper side and the trip mechanism carried thereby.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section and elevation showing the safety device in operation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates an aeroplane fuselage, carrying wings 11. In the present instance the aeroplane is of the bi-plane type, although it is to be understood that the safety device will operate with any design of machine. The upper wing is constructed to provide a concealed compartment 12 within which an aeroplane safety device 13 may be inclosed. This safety device is in reality a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, i921. 1920. Serial No. 32,251.

parachute as indicated in Fig. 6. The parachute is folded with accordion plaits so that face of the wing and may move downwardly when released to permit air to pass through the wing and through the screen 16. The

top wall 17 of the compartment 12 normally forms a continuation of the upper face of the wing and when released will move upwardlyfas indicated in Fig. 6. The accordion plaited parachute is folded between these two walls and is secured to the upper wall 17. Its lower edges are secured to the main frame of the wing by means of coil springs 18 which will act to absorb some of the shock incidentto the opening of the parachute and the support of the weight thereupon. The upper'and lower walls 16 and 17 of the parachute compartment are normally held in their closed positions by catches 19 and 20, respectively. These catches engage opposite sides of pins 21 and 22 and thus prevent the walls from separating under the influence of an expansion spring 23. This spring is compressed in both directions within sleeves 25 and 26. Sleeve 26 is secured to the lower wall member 16 while the sleeve 25 is secured to the upper member 17. The trip fingers 19 and 20 are carried by shifting slides 27 and 28. These slides are mounted upon guide rods 29 and 30 which extend parallel to each other and across the compartment 12. Cables 31 and'32 are secured to the shifting members In operation of the present invention the top and bottom walls 16 and 17 are secured in their seated positions relative to the wing. These wall sections as shown. in Fig. 2 are preferably rectangular although other designs'might be used if required. Within the compartment 12 and concealed by the walls 16 and 17 the parachute is neatly folded. These walls are held in position by the lock members 21 and 22 which must withstand the expansive action of the spring the screen 16', thus assisting in filling the parachute and completely opening the same. It will thus be seen thatthe device here disclosed will be held in a concealed position within an aeroplane wing and may be instantly brought into operation in cases of emergency to positively open a parachute and thereby support vthe machine so that a safe landing can be made.

While ll vhave shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes 1n the construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my "invention what ll claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An aeroplane having vertically removable and separable wing sections, parachute members a foldable between the upper and lower w1ng sections, locking catches by which the wing sections are retained in closed position, and a spring acting to separaterthe sectionand unfold the parachute when released.

2- An aeroplane and attachment comprislng parallel, vertically separable plane sec tions, parachute members fixed between said wing sections, latches by which said sections are normally retained in closed position, a

spring acting when the latches are released,

to separate the wlng sections and allow the parachute to expan and a screen section located between thewings and beneath the parachute, through which screen air is admitted to fill the parachute when the latter is released and expanded 3. A safety device for aeroplanes comprisinga normally folded parachute, a compartment within an aeroplane wing within which the parachute is disposed in its The downward movement of the memes folded position and around the edges of which the parachute is secured, upper and lower wall members forming'continuations of the wing surface and adapted to normally concealtheparachute and releasable means for dropping the lower wall member to permit air to circulate upwardly through the compartment and elevate the top wall and inflate the parachute. I

4- A safety device for aeroplanes comprising a normally folded parachute, a compartment within an aeroplane wing within which the parachute is disposed in its folded position and around the edges of which the parachute is secured, upper and lower wall members forming continuations of the wing surface and adapted to normally conceal the parachute and releasable means for dropping the lower wall member to permit air to circulate upwardly through the compartment and elevate the top wall and inflate the parachute, and a screen stretched across the bottom of the compartment above the lower wall whereby the parachute will be withheld from falling when the lower wall is dropped. a V t 5. A safety device for aeroplanes comprising a normally folded parachute, a compartment within an aeroplane wing within which the parachute is disposed in its'folded position and around the edges of which the parachute is secured, upper and lower wall members forming continuations of the wing surface and adapted to normally conceal the parachute and releasable means for dropping the lower wall member to permit air to circulate upwardly through the compartment and elevate the top wall and inflate the parachute, and a screen stretched across the bottom of the compartment above the lower wall whereby the parachute will be withheld from falling when the lower wall is dropped, and positive means for throwing the top wall of the compartment upwardly at the time the lower wall of the compartment is released.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set -my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEFFERSON D. KENNARD. Witnesses:

W. W. HEALEY, M. E. EWING. 

